Hills Academy FC defend 5th Lt Col Robert TA Memorial Open Football Tournament title

Our Correspondent
SENAPATI, Feb  24 : The 5th edition of (Late) Lt Col Robert TA Memorial Open Football Tournament, organized by Assam Rifles in association with Senapati District Olympic Association, Manipur (SDOAM) concluded successfully on Tuesday after an engrossing and entertaining 18-day run that commenced from February 5, 2026.
Brigadier Anshuman Tripathi, Commander 22 Sector Assam Rifles, graced the closing ceremony as the chief guest along with Chingpai Rangnamai, wife of Late Lt Col Robert TA and the guiding force behind the tournament, graced the occasion, adding a heartfelt and poignant dimension to the event.
In his welcome speech, Post commander of COB, Senapati stated that the Robert Cup Open Football Tournament stands as an annual beacon of remembrance for Lieut Colonel Robert TA, the trailblazing first Army officer from the Maram community commissioned into the Indian Army in 2004. Organised yearly since its poignant inception post his supreme sacrifice on 14 May, 2020 in North Sikkim, the event immortalised his legacy of devotion, discipline and unity, evolving from a modest inaugural edition in year 2022 into the grand spectacle of the 5th edition that unites diverse communities in spirited homage.
The tournament showcased 19 dynamic teams drawing players from Senapati, Kangpokpi, Imphal, Ukhrul and Chandel districts of Manipur, alongside talents from Nagaland and an international star from Ghana.
The highly anticipated final match between Pou Legend FC and holders Hills Academy FC delivered an electrifying contest, showcasing exceptional skills and determination from both teams to win the coveted trophy.
In a nail-biting encounter, the Hills Academy FC emerged victorious with a score of 7-6 in a tie breaker after the match ended in a 2-2 draw in the regulation time to retain the title.
 Winners Hills Academy FC were feted with the prestigious Robert Cup Trophy alongside Rs 3.5 lakh in cash while the runners-up team received a cash prize of Rs 1.5 lakh with trophy.
Semi-finalists and quarterfinalists were also feted with cash prize of Rs 30,000 and Rs 15,000 each as individual prize winners including best goalkeeper- Md Nadiya of Pou Legend FC; best player- George of Hills Academy FC; and best player- PM Rakeveiche of the Pou Legend FC were feted with a cash prize of Rs 10,000 and a bicycle each.